About Alliance Recovery Center

Alliance Recovery Center has been treating opioid use disorder in an outpatient setting in the Atlanta area since 1996. We employ a medical model in our therapeutic approach, which entails the use of medications such as methadone and buprenorphine in combination with individual and group therapy. This approach, also known as medication assisted treatment, is considered the gold standard in treating opioid use disorder.

We believe that addiction is a disease and we treat our clients as patients who are suffering from an illness. We do not think of addiction as a choice but more as a disease of choice. At Alliance Recovery Center we do not only treat the symptoms of this disease, we treat the underlying problems causing the symptoms through individual and group therapy.

Treatment at Alliance Recovery Center is therapy oriented. Our program is not based on the medication we provide. Although we view medication as a valuable tool, we believe that it is best used to buy time to work through the issues that may have turned a person to substance abuse in the beginning.

Get help today. It’s your life. And you’re worth it.

All clients at Alliance Recovery Center will work with a team of licensed, master’s level therapists during their recovery process. Please be aware that participation in counseling is a mandatory part of our program. Medication alone does not produce a sustainable recovery.

Our clients will also have access to care from medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists who will monitor their medications and overall health. Alliance Recovery Center seeks to treat the whole person. We believe that your addiction does not define who you are.

Recovery is real. And we know recovery is possible for anyone willing to work for it.

What is Opioid Use Disorder?

The DSM-5 defines opioid use disorder, previously known as opioid dependence, as a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two of the following, occurring within a 12 month period:

Opioids are often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.

There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control opioid use.

A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the opioid, use the opioid, or recover from its effects.

Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use opioids.

Recurrent opioid use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.

Continued opioid use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of opioids.

Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of opioid use.

Recurrent opioid use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.

Continued opioid use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance.

Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:

A need for markedly increased amounts of opioids to achieve intoxication or desired effect.

A markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of an opioid.

Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:

The characteristic opioid withdrawal syndrome

Opioids (or a closely related substance) are taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms

How Do I Develop Opioid Use Disorder?

Opioid use disorder can begin at any age, but problems associated with opioid use are most commonly first observed in the late teens or early 20s. A person may develop opioid use disorder after they experience prolonged exposure to opioid drugs such as heroin or narcotic analgesics (pain pills). Opioid use disorder may develop as recreational use of opioid drugs increases in frequency or after taking prescribed opioid analgesics under the direction of a physician for a prolonged period of time. Psychological addiction may occur after the first use whereas physiological dependence may take 1-3 months of daily use.

There are many factors that influence whether a person who experiments with opioid drugs will become addicted. These include both individual and environmental risk factors. For instance, impulsivity and novelty seeking are individual temperaments that relate to the propensity to develop a substance use disorder. The presence of untreated mental illness may also increase the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder. Environmental factors may include having close family or friends who use opioid drugs for pleasure or medical purposes, pressure from others to use opioid drugs, a stressful living environment characterized by violence or psychological abuse directed at self or others and the presence of criminal activity at home or in the community.

Medication Assisted Treatment

Treatment at Alliance Recovery Center is a big commitment. In the beginning of treatment we require all new clients to attend the clinic six days a week to receive medication and counseling. As treatment progresses, take-home medication will be given and the frequency of clinic visits will decrease. The length of time it takes to progress in treatment is different for everyone. Each client is an individual with unique experiences and needs and we tailor individualized treatment plans for every client. Some may choose life-long methadone or Buprenorphine maintenance while others may choose to become less dependent upon medication. Because each client is different, we discourage entering treatment with a timeline in mind.

Alliance Recovery Center strives to help our clients eliminate their addictive behaviors and resolve the issues that may have turned them to substance abuse through individual and group counseling. We employ a licensed, master’s level counseling staff dedicated to assisting our clients in making positive life changes. Each client will be assigned a primary counselor upon admission to treatment. Please be aware that individual counseling is not optional, it is mandatory. We also offer a wide variety of group counseling sessions. These are optional, however we strongly encourage our clients to take advantage of our groups. There are no additional costs associated with individual or group counseling.

Alliance Recovery Center offers a variety of group counseling sessions on a daily basis. Times and days of group sessions are subject to change. Current group counseling schedules are posted at each location. Below is an example list of group counseling sessions by topic.

Orientation Group

Addictive Behavior

Relapse Prevention

Men’s Group

Women’s Group

Life Skills

Health Awareness – this group is conducted by a medical doctor

Open Process Group

Self Discovery Group

Grief and Loss

Self-Esteem

Stress Management

Veterans Group

Methadone Anonymous – this is a peer run group that is conducted by fellow clients

Medical services are also available on a daily basis. Our medical team is composed of medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists who will closely monitor the effectiveness of your medication and will make adjustments as necessary. We are also available for consultation related to health concerns outside of your treatment. All clients will receive a complete physical exam upon admission to treatment and every year thereafter to assess and monitor general health.

Medication Assisted Treatment and Pregnancy

If you suspect you are pregnant, you must inform the staff at Alliance Recovery Center immediately. You must provide documentation of your pre-natal care and authorize our medical staff to communicate with your obstetric physician. It is absolutely necessary that our medical staff know that you are pregnant or if you become pregnant and that your prenatal care team knows that you are being treated for opioid use disorder. Early pre-natal care, remaining stable on medication and avoiding alcohol and illicit drug use are important rules to follow to enhance your chances of delivering a healthy baby.

Pregnant women have safely taken methadone for many years. Methadone has not been shown to cause birth defects, however your child may experience some side effects such as neonatal withdrawal syndrome at the time of birth. This is not life threatening and is easily treated in the hospital with medications.

If you become pregnant, there is not a particular dose of methadone that you should stay under. Research has shown there is not a connection between a mother’s dose and withdrawal symptoms in the child. However, it is very common for pregnant women to need a dose increase, especially during the third trimester when the pregnant woman’s blood volume has almost doubled.

It should be noted that if you are feeling withdrawal symptoms during your pregnancy, your child is feeling withdrawal symptoms. It is important to keep your dose stable during pregnancy because severe withdrawal can lead to miscarriage. This is why withdrawing from methadone during pregnancy is highly discouraged.

Withdrawing from methadone during pregnancy is highly discouraged.

Breastfeeding is also safe while taking methadone. A small amount of methadone is contained in breast milk and will be consumed by the nursing child if you choose to breastfeed. However, the nutritional benefits and the bonding that occurs during breastfeeding are so important that physicians encourage breastfeeding despite the presence of methadone in breast milk.

Healthy babies have also been delivered while taking buprenorphine. Some research suggests that the instance of neonatal withdrawal syndrome is less when taking buprenorphine than when taking methadone. However, the effects of buprenorphine on pregnancy have not been widely studied and its full effects on pregnancy are not completely known. Due to the lack of research, we will not prescribe buprenorphine to anyone who is pregnant.

Treatment Pricing & Insurance Information

Alliance Recovery Center does not charge an admission fee, only a per day rate for treatment. Part of our mission is to provide services at affordable rates to increase accessibility to treatment. We accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Insurance Information

Some insurance companies will cover Methadone and Buprenorphine treatment. Please contact your insurance company for more information. In the event that your insurance company covers your treatment, we will provide you with the paperwork necessary to get reimbursed.

Admission & Transfer Fee

$0

Phases 1 through 5

$12 per day – Methadone

Phases 6, 13, & 27

$11 per day – Methadone

Buprenorphine Treatment

$16 per day

Peak and Trough Test

$40 (Required for dose increases over 120 mg of Methadone or upon M.D. request)

Admission and Annual Physical Exam

$0

Monthly Drug Screen

$0

Additional Drug Screen

$15

GCMS Drug Screen Confirmation

$40

Drug Screen Retest

$10

Requested Pregnancy Test

$10

Rapid Drug Screen

$10

Lock Box

$15

Guest Dosing Fee

$12 per day – Methadone. $16 per day plus cost of medication – Buprenorphine

Guest Dosing Information

Visiting the Atlanta area? Doing business near Conyers? Catching a game in Athens? We can ensure that you stay on your path to recovery! Visit any of our locations for affordable and professional services in a warm, comfortable environment.

Guest dosing fee is $12.00 per dose. No additional fees apply unless a drug-screen is requested by your home clinic.

Your clinic’s physician must sign guest dose requests.

If guest dosing is to start on Saturday, all information should be received by 1:00 pm Friday.

Dosing dates, amount of dose and any take-home medication must be specified in the guest dose request and faxed to the location you wish to be guest dosed at.

Your home clinic must specify a take-home dose for Sundays and holidays. If no take-home doses are specified, we cannot give you medication to take home when we are closed.

Our facility will need a contact name and telephone number in order to verify dosing information with the your home clinic.

Dosing hours

Guest dosing consumers are wise to call our facility for directions if they are unfamiliar with Atlanta/Decatur, Athens or Conyers areas.

MARTA (Atlanta’s public transportation system) offers train and bus service within 1 block of our facility in Decatur. An Athens Transit System bus stop is located in front of our Athens location. Unfortunately there is no nearby public transportation in Conyers.